Catalogue entry

This much exhibited view of Eu’s medieval collégiale, or ‘collegiate church’, of Notre-Dame and St-Laurent is taken from the little ‘irregular market-place’ to the south-east of the edifice, the steep incline of which contributes to the impression of towering height.1 Ian Warrell traces the use of a low viewpoint in this sketch to the Turner’s training in the studio of the topographical and architectural artist, Thomas Malton (1748–1804).2 To the left of the church, liquid blue washes have swamped the pencil drawing of the Château d’Eu, the summer palace of King Louis-Philippe, whose possible connection with the trip is laid out in the tour Introduction.

John Murray (ed.), Hand-Book for Travellers in France, revised ed., London, Paris and Leipzig 1844, pp.66–7; see also Richard Snailham, Normandy and Brittany: from Le Tréport to St-Nazaire, London c.1986, p.66.